Michael Gove came to the Commons to execute what Labour called a “humiliating U-turn” over his plans to scrap GCSEs. But I can report that there was nothing humiliating about it. Indeed Mr Gove seemed to be revelling in his new humbleness.

“I welcome the rare display of humility that you bring to the dispatch box,” praised the Tory Tobias Ellwood.

Mr Gove, whose dark spectacles make him look like a schoolboy, tried not to preen. “I do not know whether you were suggesting that humility at the dispatch box was rare or humility from me was rare — but let